Just down the road apiece, Preservist Sandy Gaile is featured in the “Getting to Know All About You” segment of this week’s Preserve column.

Sandy attended Grinnell College in Grinnel, Iowa. She received her master’s from Indiana/Purdue University in South Bend, Ind., and enjoyed her career as a speech and language therapist with Elkhart Community Schools in Elkhart, Ind. How lucky we are that this likeable gal chose her retirement home in our Spruce Creek Preserve.

Sandy is the founder, coordinator and enthusiastic promoter of the newest Preserve Club called “Horse Sense.” The club’s announcement states that the members will explore all things having to do with an amazing creature — the horse.

Recently, the Horse Sense Club promoted the “Painted Chair Exposition and Auction” at the Ocala Mall for the benefit of the Stirrups and Strides Organization. Preservists Dee Grkovich, Shirley Camenson, Babette Sparling and Sandy Gaile were among the 50 artists who proudly donated their hand-painted chairs for this exciting event.

This new club is planning field trips, demonstrations and educational talks about horses, the breeds, and their nature. In general, what makes them tick.

Sandy says she fell in love with these beautiful creatures even though at one time she actually fell off one of her loves.